Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy: BrainSTEM Tuition Ltd

Effective Date: January 7, 2026

Company Number: 16655020

Policy Review Date: January 7, 2027 (To be reviewed annually )

Our Safeguarding Purpose and Commitment

Safeguarding is the highest priority for BrainSTEM Tuition Ltd. We are fully committed to protecting the welfare of all children and young people who use our services.

• We believe every child has the right to be protected from harm, abuse, and neglect.
• We accept our responsibility to create a safe online learning environment.
• Our approach is child-centered, considering the best interests of the child in everything we do.
• This policy is based on key UK legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and statutory guidance.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

Key Safeguarding Personnel

The first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns is the Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO).

• Lead Safeguarding Officer: Ezzen Shakil Farooq
• Phone: 01895 392660
• Email: info@brainstemtuition.co.uk

The LSO is responsible for liaising with statutory child protection agencies, such as local authority Children’s Social Care and the police, when necessary.

Safer Recruitment and Tutor Conduct

Effective safeguarding begins with robust recruitment to ensure all tutors are suitable to work with children.

• Mandatory DBS Checks: Every tutor must undergo a mandatory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check of the Children’s Barred List, before commencing work.
• Verification: We verify the identity and relevant qualifications of all tutors.
• Professional Boundaries: Tutors must maintain professional boundaries and are prohibited from developing personal relationships with students.
• Communication: All communication must be respectful and occur through official company channels.
• Zero Tolerance: We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of grooming behavior.

Online Safety and Session Recording

To ensure a safe online environment, we implement the following measures:

• Session Recording: All sessions are recorded for quality assurance, student safety, and to allow students to review and recap content for future study.
• Storage: Recordings are stored securely with restricted access and are available to the LSO for review in the event of a concern.
• Environment: Tutors must conduct sessions from a quiet, private, and neutral environment appropriate for teaching.
• Parental Guidance: We advise parents to ensure a responsible adult is present in the home during sessions and that tuition takes place in a communal family space where possible.

Reporting Procedure

If a concern arises from a direct disclosure, an observation, or an allegation, the following steps must be taken immediately:

1. Record Concerns: Write down exactly what was said or seen using the student’s own words where possible. Include the date, time, and factual details. Do not edit these notes later.
2. Report to LSO: Immediately report the concern to Ezzen Shakil Farooq on the same day it arises.
3. Do Not Investigate: Tutors and staff must not attempt to investigate concerns themselves; this is the responsibility of the LSO and statutory agencies.

Information Sharing and Confidentiality

While we maintain confidentiality where appropriate, the duty to safeguard children is paramount.

• Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis with those required to protect a child.
• Tutors cannot promise confidentialityto a child if a disclosure is made.
• If a disclosure occurs, the tutor must explain that the information will be shared with the LSO to ensure the child receives the help they need.

External Resources

For further guidance on online safety and child protection, please refer to:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (UK Gov).
• NSPCC Helpline:0808 800 5000.
• Childline:0800 1111.